A Denali Backpacking Guide

Denali’s Trail-less Wilderness

"Without self-discovery, a person may still have self-confidence, but it is a self-confidence built on ignorance and it melts in the face of heavy burdens. Self-discovery is the end product of a great challenge mastered, when the mind commands the body to do the seemingly impossible, when strength and courage are summoned to extraordinary limits for the safe of something outside the self - a principle, an onerous task, another human life."

- Kurt Hahn

Traveling and camping in this expansive terrain is special. You will find the backcountry of Denali is different from what you may encounter in other national parks. There are no trails, designated routes, or backcountry campsites here to guide your wilderness adventure. The goal of the Backcountry Information Center (BIC) is to provide visitors with the means of self-reliance and self-discovery. It encourages hikers to find what appeals to them rather than following specific routes. Rangers working here will provide you with the knowledge to make your trip as safe and enjoyable as possible - but, the path you choose in the backcountry will be your own. Take time to study the unit descriptions to find the perfect trip for you. The more effort your group invests in planning your trip, the larger the reward.

You must come prepared to travel cross-country through remote terrain in harsh weather, and rescue yourself in the event of problems. It is also your responsibility to help protect the special resources and opportunities that are present in Denali by carefully following the principles of Leave No Trace, so that your travels do not diminish the experience of those who follow you.

 

Backcountry Unit System

The unit-by-unit descriptions (below) in this backpacking guide will help you prepare in advance and in person for your Denali backpacking adventure.

The six million acres of Denali are divided into 87 separate backcountry units. Forty-one units have a limit on the number of individuals that can camp in each unit per night. During peak summer visitation, many of these units are heavily used, so please come to the Backcountry Desk with several alternative trip itineraries. Don't become discouraged if your first choice is not available. Remember, there are six million acres to choose from, and all units offer excellent wilderness trips.

Note the following requirements when planning a trek through Denali's backcountry:

• Forty-one backcountry units have a specific quota
• Unit availability determines where you may camp each night, and you must camp in the unit for which you have a permit
• Maximum seven consecutive nights in a single unit
• Maximum thirty nights in the backcountry during a summer season (April 15 - September 30)
• "Double booking" a night in two different units or a unit and a campground is not permitted
• Permits are issued only in person (no telephone or email reservations), and no more than one day in advance of your trip
• All party members must be present to receive a permit
• Permits are not required for day-hiking in the backcountry
  

 

Planning your Denali backpacking adventure

Click on any unit number in the map below to read a thorough description of that unit. Some of the very remote units are grouped together; and the heart of the Alaska Range (Units 45-48, 86 and 87) link to our mountaineering webpages.

Text links to each unit's specific web page are also provided below the map.

 

 

Unit 1	Unit 14	Unit 27	Unit 40
Unit 2	Unit 15	Unit 28	Unit 41
Unit 3	Unit 16	Unit 29	Unit 42
Unit 4	Unit 17	Unit 30	Unit 43
Unit 5	Unit 18	Unit 31	Units 44-48
Unit 6	Unit 19	Unit 32	Units 61-63
Unit 7	Unit 20	Unit 33	Unit 64
Unit 8	Unit 21	Unit 34	Units 65-68
Unit 9	Unit 22 & 69	Unit 35	Unit 70
Unit 10	Unit 23	Unit 36	Unit 71
Unit 11	Unit 24	Unit 37	Units 72-79
Unit 12	Unit 25	Unit 38	Units 80-85
Unit 13	Unit 26	Unit 39	Units 86 & 87